Port Peril. The hub of scandalous activity in the scandalous "nation" of The Shackles. There are many reasons to come to this city. You're looking to get lost, you're looking to get found, or find something, or someone. You're looking to sell something, or have something sold. For whatever reason, you've all found yourselves in this place, waiting, and wanting something to happen. Maybe it's just an itch, or maybe your divine contacts are telling you that something is going to happen, but you all have a feeling that things are coming into play. The anticipation is something that Port Peril is good at providing, but this is different, you feel better about this somehow, as if things are going to turn for you. It's with this feeling that you made your way to the Formidably Maid, a raucous tavern in Port Peril, where you've either entertained or have been entertained in the past.
Walking into the Formidably Maid, is a gorgeous woman who looks not too dissimilar from an angel, her hair is like spun sapphire, and her eyes an emerald glow. Even more noticeable are the great feathery wings from her back that she has folded up. She seems in something of a trance as she enters, and goes to the bar, speaking to the bartender, "Have you seen or heard of a woman who looks like a succubus? She may have been here as recently as a week ago."
The bartender looks over the lovely aasimar woman and looks thoughtful for a moment, before pulling out a bottle of rum, and sliding it over to the woman. "Can't say as I has miss, but if yer wantin' information, yer best bet is ta share a cup er two wif them gents over at the table there. Seein' as that they's got looks and ears about." The tender nods with his head towards a table where a few rough looking men sit. They don't seem to be as rowdy as most in the room, seemingly okay with drinking and gambling at dice and cards amongst themselves.
The rest of the establishment is done in old wood. The tables, stools and chairs all look to have seen some form of abuse, and repair. Crude carvings from patrons adorn tables and beams, and the flickering lanterns cast a shadowy wavering light over the whole. As you look around you can see some would be artists making their marks in the tables. Sounds of partying, gambling, and the results of each (both pleasant and not so pleasant) can be heard over the din of glasses clinking, and sea shanties being sung, mostly off key.
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Sitting alone at a table on the balcony overlooking the taproom of the Formidably Maid, Ri'el had a clear view of all the patrons below.
"Quite the diverse crowd we have below, wouldn't you say, Thali?" the young man says softly to no apparent other (for he was safely out of ear-shot of any other visible patron). Barely had he finished his statement when the blue-haired woman walked in, sticking out like a sore thumb as she made her even more noteworthy statement. He raises an eyebrow as he resists the urge to openly bury his face in his palm, instead settling for pulling his straw hat a little further down his forehead to lengthen the shadow it cast over his iridescent eyes.
"Well...that's one way to keep a low profile," he mutters sarcastically. Hmm...perhaps I should stay close to her, but avoid making a direct association with her. People like her draw attention like flies to rotting meat in summer. As long as I'm not perceived to be with her, I can assess the people around her without drawing too much attention to us. Close to enough to jump in on a suitable opportunity, but far enough to walk away if there's trouble."
After a brief pause, his brow furrows as he winces at some un-heard rebuke.
"Alright, alright, or to help if there's trouble...provided it's not too much trouble. But trust me, Thali. That woman's liable to draw more attention and trouble to herself than an entire crew can handle..."
Giving a slight bow to the bartender, "Thank you sir, I will take that suggestion." She pays money for the bottle and gets a glass, walking to the indicated table. "Excuse me sirs, may I join you?". She shows them the bottle and holds it out in an offer to share, and her accent is very thick, like she only recently learned the common tongue.
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Set up in the corner with a Harrow deck displayed and a grim demeanor, Astein plays out the cards looking carefully at them as they fall. He occasionally looks up and about the room, but it is hard to tell if he is offering fortune telling services due to the slightly dour demeanor he puts off. That is remedied when the colorful parrot on his shoulder sings off, "Fates and fortunes, cards will tell. Fates and fortunes, cards will tell" and the young Varisian smiles and gives the parrot an affectionate scratch.
A mocha-skinned, white-haired half-elf enters, a wary look on his face, They sent me here to find people to dice with, to spend some coin and maybe find a crew... Can't help but wonder if it's one last prank at my expense, or if they mean it.... He pauses and scans the room, taking in the measure of the place, then nods, the wary expression shifting to a smile... I imagine this'll do nicely. He heads toward the bar, "After being aboardship for the last four months, I'd love a mug of a dark stout, if you've got one. And a game of cards, if you know where I could find one of those, too."
A red-eyed goblin walks into a bar... with a bump thump crump as the spiked end of his boarding axe drag/drums across the wooden floor of the Formidably Maid. He hikes the bandolier higher up on his thin shoulder, getting the axe-end off the floor, adjusts the short bow slung across his other shoulder, and sets his salt-crusted leather tricorn hat at a rakish angle. Self-consciously, he smooths his pantaloons and graces the patrons of the tavern with what passes for a smile - more like a leer punctuated by an oversized mouth filled with shark's teeth.
Pupil-less eyes scan the room, more curious than challenging. They follow the action and fall on the two things that stand out most - the angelic woman who seems more out of place here than a hatted goblin and the fellow playing at cards by himself in the corner. Of two minds, Eli watches the woman even as he drags his sea-bag over towards the card-player.
In the Harrower's corner, blood-red eyes - shaded by an impressively large hat - peep just above the level of the table and regard the spread cards with interest. Muffled by the thick table, the goblin's unseen mouth enquires in Common with just a hint of rich Mwangi consonants, "Solitaire?"
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Once he would have reacted to an armed goblin, but Astein had been on board enough boats to know that sailors, and pirates, were different than the clans and you never know who will be your bunkmate.
He looks up from the cards and answers in the musical accent of his clans, "No, not solitare... this is no game, but a glimpse into the patterns of Fortune. A Harrower's deck can be used to play games, but in the hands of one such as myself, it is a tool of Fortune to predict what may come to pass." The parrot chimes in, "Not a game, not a game...
The bartender regards the 1/2 elf for a moment, with a smile and pours his drink. "A game a cards? He scratches at his bearded chin for a moment, and looks over at the table where the angelic woman walked to.
"Thems been cardin' and dicin', so ye'll be able to sit in there, he gives a little leer and wink "an the view is improvin there too." He slaps down a large stein with the stout poured.
The table that Davina walked over to is a raucous one, but quiets down as she gets more than a few looks, and even a low whistle. The one man who looks to be the leader of this group, a deeply tanned man with long dark hair tied back with a purple bandana, and a long, braided black beard leans forward, pushing aside his long, jack-tar coat, "Aye, come an have yerself a squat, lass. If'n ye've got hootch, yer welcome ta sit with us. What can we do ye for?"
Astein, the goblin sits at your table, and shortly after, one of the wenches brings two mugs, and sets them down at your table in a hurry, moving with a tray full of them fill other tables with mugs, deftly dodging most groping hands with a practiced sway of hips and one sharp crack of a hand on the wrist of a man's wandering hand, accompanied with a smile and wink, which brings about gales of laughter. After a time the same girl drops off a drink for Ri'el with the same deft, practiced ease.
Smiling nervously at the man and bowing slightly, Davina has a seat and pours herself, and the others interested, a drink. She takes a cautious sip before speaking, "I have been looking for a woman who may have been here as recently as a week ago. Our faces are similar, but otherwise, she looks very much like a succubus. She was taken by a pirate vessel from the merchantman who had bought her in Tian Xia. I was told if looking for someone connected to pirates, this town was the place to go. Have any of you seen her and know where I might find her?"
He looks up from the cards and answers in the musical accent of his clans, "No, not solitare... this is no game, but a glimpse into the patterns of Fortune. A Harrower's deck can be used to play games, but in the hands of one such as myself, it is a tool of Fortune to predict what may come to pass." The parrot chimes in, "Not a game, not a game...
The goblin digests this idea for a moment... and apparently finds it palatable. The eyes and hat move towards the other side of the table. Eli drops his bag by the empty chair and uses it as a step-stool to climb into the chair opposite the Harrower. His bulbous head appears above table level - red eyes in a green face - and he's high enough to rest his arms (at shoulder height) on the table, which he does.
Eli regards the Harrower, the parrot, and the cards more closely for a moment then fires off a rapid series of questions, "What are these cards telling you? Do they speak of a great goblin corsair you will meet soon, maybe very soon? Is there a card called the Fool in this deck?"
Astein, the goblin sits at your table, and shortly after, one of the wenches brings two mugs, and sets them down at your table in a hurry...
Engrossed in the cards, Eli is heedless of the drink's arrival. He spies it with surprise, like an unexpected guest, after the tavern wench is gone. He looks about for a server, hoping to get some food to go along with the drink.
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"A goblin in a tavern? I heard they were as unwelcome in the cities of man as our own tribe...well, myself excepted. I suppose it just shows what kind of a place Port Peril is. Which is why I have no idea why blue-hair over there is...did she just say she was looking for a succubus? Tarssalox once mentioned that they were demons who seduced warm-bloods and then took their souls, but who the heck would know what one loo... ok, fine, you tell me then."
An even softer voice whispers from within Ri'el satchel as Thali finds herself at the limit of what she could convey to Ri'el through their empathic link. "Think a very pretty woman with demonic features. You'll know when you see one."
Ri's faces scrunges up as he paints a mental image from Thali's description and recoils at what he comes up with.
"Not sure why any man would be seduced by that. Still... perhaps I should see what the goblin and the man with the cards are talking about. If nothing else, it will be closer to the action... and with that woman carrying on the way she does, I'll be surprised if she doesn't cause some kind of stir..."
Garavaen heads over to the card table, mug of stout in his hand, saying little but watching the game, both to determine if it's one that he's familiar with and to see if all the players are being honest.
He shakes his head at the blue-haried woman's questions, "Can't say I've had the pleasure or the misfortune of encountering your near-succubus. But then, I just got here a few days ago." He reaches forward and offers a hand in greeting, "Name's Garavaen."
He then looks over to the slight commotion, then shrugs turning his attention back to the gaming table and the woman, "There's only one of them. Not exactly an invasion. I'm sure we'll be safe."
Giving Garaven the same slight bow she has been giving everyone so far, and the hesitantly taking his hand, like she is unsure of the custom, "Honor and good fortune to you Drusus-san, I am Kurikami Davina." She gets a slightly perplexed look on her face, "Only one of them what?"
He chuckles and jerks a thumb, "Goblin. Over there. By the fortune teller."
"Ah, him, I never see one before."
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Ri'el makes his way down to the taproom floor and walks casually towards the table of the man with the cards. Standing over the shoulder of the goblin (being about as comfortable with goblins as he is with humans) he tips his hat at the Varisian behind the table and his parrot, though he fixes his eyes on the cards to avoid eye-contact. "Don't mean to be rude, strangers, but the less people notice these eyes, the better," he thinks to himself.
"Greetings, feathered one. You said 'Fates and fortunes, cards will tell.' Are you perchance the seer of this tavern? And this human your apprentice?"
One of the men looks Davina over and grins "Naw pretty, we ain't seen a sucubus, if we had we'd 'ave bent..." the man is interrupted by an elbow to the ribs from the dark haired man in the jack-tar.
"Careful, ye swab, we's got a lady here. Ye be mindin' yer manners." He turns to regard Davina and raises a glass in a toast and takes a long drink. "I can't say as we've seen someone o' that description, an' she'd stand out, lass, much like you do yerself. He proffers a smile that seems like quite the effort for him.
Several of the men see Garaevaen standing watching, and offer him a spot, "We're playin seven over the river, if ye want a seat." The sailor whistles loudly to the serving wench and points to all their glasses, and she shortly brings over drinks for everyone, including Garaevaen. He laughs a bit, "We'll buy ye the first one. Make it easier for ye when ye're losin' coin, bucko."
Getting a very disappointed look on her face, "Can you think of anyone who might have some information?"
Maybe I just found a better way to forget than drinking. Jack thought to himself while looking at the beautiful woman entering the bar.
Watching her talk to the bartender he almost missed the goblin walk in. A smile came to his face. I pity the crew he’ll be a part of, stealing little bugger.
No time as the present. Jack stands up and walks to the bar and orders some drinks.
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Taking a long drought, the Varisian nods at the goblin and begins to shuffle and prepare for the Harrowing. "Be warned, that this is no parlor trick to separate you from your coin. I do not control what Fortune tells through the cards, and you may not like what I see."
Unless the goblin objects, he will begin.
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Taking a long drought, the Varisian nods at the goblin and begins to shuffle and prepare for the Harrowing. "Be warned, that this is no parlor trick to separate you from your coin. I do not control what Fortune tells through the cards, and you may not like what I see."
Unless the goblin objects, he will begin.
Eli nods, fascinated, and holds the table edge like something momentous is about to happen. "I don't know nothing about tricks 'n parlors but I hear the Gods talk through some folks. If that's you, I'll listen hard. I have a few silver coins; how many is right?"
Garavaen smiles and takes the offered place at the table, "Don't mind if I do. Was just watching to make sure it was what I thought it was."
He then shrugs and look at the blue-haired woman again, "From what they told me aboardship, this is a good place to come for information... May just need to wait for a few more clients to trickle in? Worst case, you get a pleasant evening in a tavern."
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Garavaen smiles and takes the offered place at the table, "Don't mind if I do. Was just watching to make sure it was what I thought it was."
He then shrugs and look at the blue-haired woman again, "From what they told me aboardship, this is a good place to come for information... May just need to wait for a few more clients to trickle in? Worst case, you get a pleasant evening in a tavern."
"As pleasant as one might expect at a place called "Port ", anyway..." Ri'el thinks to himself wryly as he overhears the conversation at the other table.
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Ri'el makes his way down to the taproom floor and walks casually towards the table of the man with the cards. Standing over the shoulder of the goblin (being about as comfortable with goblins as he is with humans) he tips his hat at the Varisian behind the table and his parrot, though he fixes his eyes on the cards to avoid eye-contact. "Don't mean to be rude, strangers, but the less people notice these eyes, the better," he thinks to himself.
"Greetings, feathered one. You said 'Fates and fortunes, cards will tell.' Are you perchance the seer of this tavern? And this human your apprentice?"
To Ri'el, the Varisian replies. "No, just a sailor who Fortune favors with some insight."
To the Goblin Astein says, "What is it that you seek to know?"
He shuffles the cards with purpose nine times, then holds them in his left hand, reverently.
Eli is slightly flummoxed by the question. "Uh... what does the future hold for me?"
The goblin scratches his face, considering. "How about 'was coming to Port Peril a smart choice?'" He asks hopefully.
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Astein nods gravely, "Wisdom is sought about the past, and how it will affect the future..."
The Varisian calmly deals out nine cards in three rows of three, face down. He then has you choose a card at random.
Tapestry:
The Trumpet-------- The Owl(I)-------- The Courtesan (I)
The Tyrant--------- The Betrayal(I)--- The Empty Throne (I)
The Waxworks(I)---- The Unicorn(I)---- The Brass Dwarf (I)
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
1=Hammers, 2=Keys, 3=Shields, 5=Books, 5=Stars, 6=Crowns
1=LG, 2=NG, 3=CG, 4=LN, 5=N, 6=CN, 7=LE, 8=NE, 9=CE
1=Upright, 2=Inverted
http://pathfinder.wikia.com/wiki/List_of_harrow_cards
The devilish looking woman, attractive and appearing to be in her late teens, finishes the baudy song she's sung too many times, with just the right tones, for drunk old perverts who toss her coppers and silvers. Having carefully taken in the odd bunch that has found their way into the taver she thinks to herself, "Stop looking for an easy mark and its time to start looking for a ship. How much longer will you let yourself waste away in the damned place. It's already been too long. Can't spend your whole life singing about adventure and riches and not have any of your own."
One of them tries to let his hands renact the last verse but she slaps it away and gives him a smile before making her way to the bar. [b]"So who are these foreigners in these parts? Since when do Aasimarr find their way into the the Shakles?"[b] she discretely asks the bartender while gesturing for her usual.
The bartender reaches beneath the bar and pours a tall glass for Arenya, "Don't rightly know who them folk be. First time I've seen some of em. Didn't figure on a goblin ever walkin' inta the Maid. As fer the rest? As long as they pay their tab, an' don't cause a ruckus, they're as welcome as anyone else."
You each wake slowly, and somewhat muddle headed, wondering how much you may have had to drink the night before. You remember the raucous room of the Formidably Maid, the good food, and drink, and the laughter…was some of it yours? Your heads pound and as you become more aware of your surroundings, you start to realize certain truths. The room you’re in seems to be rocking slightly with a soft creaking sound, and light filters in through cracks, providing you enough light to notice that you are also not alone in the room. Several of the people from last night are also laid out in the room; The beautiful Aasimar woman, the fortune-teller, the stranger in his hat, the dark skinned half-elf, the tiefling man who briefly joined the table, the tiefling entertainer, the oddly dressed goblin with good manners, a pretty auburn haired woman that looks like she was born for the sea, a halfling woman, a gnome dandy, and a tough looking human with a blue Varisian scarf that drapes so it covers one full side of his head are all lying here, starting to rouse...
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After studying the cards, the Varisian nods. He speaks in a concise and direct manner, without the flourish of many fortune tellers. It appears he simply believes what he is telling you is the truth, and you may accept it or not.
The first card is the trumpet, fully empowered. The trumpet represents you, a card of power, aggression and purpose. When you chose to come to this place, you did so with a strong purpose that will continue to guide all your actions. You will succeed in this goal, and achieving it will consume your life for a time to come.
The next card is dark indeed, however, and in very strong position. The Tyrant, inverted is opposed to you and will try to thwart your goals. There is a person of power who will greatly influence your future, and their intentions are against yours entirely. They are danger and opposition and only by overcoming them will you succeed.
Related to the tyrant, comes the waxworx - again opposing you. This is a dire card that shows you will go through an harsh and painful ordeal that you must overcome to defeat the Tyrant."
He then gestures to the middle row of cards, stating, "These will tell the tale of how you may allow the Trumpet to prevail over the Tyrant and his tortures...
The Owl here represents a choice you will make that will determine whether you overcome the challenge, you must show wisdom and choose correctly to create something to carry you through- or all could unravel.
The Betrayal shows that greed and lust will be obstacles in your future, if they are allowed to control the Tyrant may triumph, and prevent you from reaching your goal.
The Unicorn represents potential allies, though they lay under the geas of the Betrayal as well. If your allies give into greed and lust it may allow the Tyrant to prevail as well."
Turning to the final cards, Astein adds, "And now what may happen...
The Courtesan represents political intrigue... As you work with your allies you must deal use more than direct force, it will take delicate maneuverings to allow you to overcome the Tyrant.
The Empty Throne - Should you succeed in overcoming the Tyrant, you must take care that another isn’t allowed to take over his dark reign... This again harkens to the Betrayal, greed and lust could lead to another Tyrant rising and again bringing misfortune.
The Brass Dwarf calls for patience and determination in the challenges you may face. You must inure yourself the threats against you, accept the pain that they bring, and continue steadfast to overcome the Tyrant and be allowed to achieve your goal.
This is what I see for you... if you feel it is worth the coins you offered very well. If not, ignore the Fortune told and I wish you well." He gathers up his cards and takes a long draught, draining his tankard and signaling for another.
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"A rocking room? We're on a ship then... By the spirits, how did we get here? Abducted?" Remembering his recent experiences, he grinds his teeth in a silent rage.
"Not just an abduction... Slavers... Again...."
His hand goes instinctively to his side, where his familiar satchel would usually be.
"Thali? THALI!" The young aasimar whirls around, a look of fearful desperation on his face. He closes his eyes for a moment, as if in concentration, then relaxes a little, though his face is still crimson with rage.
"They better not have harmed her..." he glowers darkly.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v151/skrittiblak/tiefling.png
Garavaen opens his eyes and sits up, the gentle rocking both familiar and soothing while his mind slowly takes note of the unfamiliar surroundings, burning away the sense of familiarity and leaving behind something more like fear. This isn't the Wavehopper! You're out to sea with a bunch of strangers and you aren't here willingly...
Before he can speak to his fellow prisoners, one of them speaks and then begins shooting what Garavaen can only assume is the name of a friend. Still, he grunts his agreement to the strange man's question, "Aye, looks like it. Not sure if we're meant to be cargo or pressed into service." .. At least, last time, it was voluntary ....
He scans the room, taking a mental count of his new companions, his elven vision scanning for any clues that night help before he finally stands, asking, "Anyone seen my crossbow? I think I'd like to have a chat with out hosts."
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The sound of the half-elf's voice calms Ri'el a little further.
"If I want to get her back alive, I'll need to play it cool for now... Allies. Allies will be useful. And I'll need to make some quick."
"My guess is that they've taken our weapons and valuables. I too have some things I want back...and I doubt it will be too long before our 'hosts' pay us a visit..." He says as he nods to Garaveen and extends his hand towards the half-elf.
"It seems we're in this together. Name's Ri'el. "